Automatic phonograph for nonuniform records



July 11, 1933.

T. w. SMALL AUTOMATIC PHONOGRAPH FOR NONUNIFORM RECORDS Filed April 14, 1930 5 Sheets-Sheet l B Y Zi/@QM MMM July ll, 1933.

T. w. SMALL v1.918,062

AUTOMATIC PHONOGRAPH FOR NONUNIFORM RECORDS Filed April 14, 1930 5 sheets-sheet 2 7,01 lib /90 11i/61 m5 (67 i l, INVENTOR.

Twan/x5 n( .5M/Lr ATTORNEYS.

Emily u, 211933.. T. w. SMALL www2 AUTOMATIC PHONOGRAPH FOR NONUNIFORM RECORDS Filed April 14, 1930 5 sheets-sheet 3 L' I I l E lZ'L l 'lb 4 lZ 5 441 /z7 IN VEN TOR. 779mm; l/I/. 5MHLL.

A TTORNEY.

July 11, 1933.

T. W. SMALL AUTOMATIC PHNOGRAPH FOR NONUNIFORM RECORDS Filed April 14, 1950 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 Mym wf@ l TTORNEYJ July 11, 1933. T W, SMALL 1,918,062

AUTOMATIC PHONOGRAPH FOR NONUNIFORM RECORDS Filed April 14, 1930 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 P-1K1. E

Y [35 INVENTOR.

' Zim/m5 H4 5/1/7AL,

..1 TTORNEY.

Patented July Il, 1933 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE THoMAs W. SMALL, or HUNTINGTON, INDIANA, AssIeNoa 'ro THE cAPEHAm iconroRATrom or rom' WAYNE, INDIANA, A coaroaATIoN AUTOMATIC PHONOGR-APH FOR NON"UN]I0RI!I` RECORDS Application mea Apru 14,

` long composition such as an opera or a symphony upon a series of records having portions of the composition upon both sides of each record. Ordinarily the proper sequence 'for playing the records to reproduce the original composition-is to play both sides of a given record before proceeding to the next.

The principal object of the present-invention is to produce a phonograph which automatically reproduces the successive portions of such a colnposition in the proper sequence.

Another object of the invention is to provide such aphonograph in which records of either or'both of the common standard sizes may be used at the same time.

One feature of the invention by which these objects are attained is the provision of means for removing the record from the turn table, reversing the same and placing it uponv a record support which mayl be automatically factuated to return the record to the turn azine if both sides have been played.

Another feature of the invention resides in the specific formof apparatus used for actuating the said record-manipulatlpg mechanism. i n

Another feature of the inventlon resides `in the provision of a novel means for controlling the position of the tone arm for the start of. playing the different sizes of records. This is accomplished by providing track- Ways at different elevations for the larger and smaller recordsxby means of'which the larger records will travel at a higher elevais, therefore,.not necessary that the edge of lgaging the centering holes of all of the rec- .tion.

Other objects'and features will be appar-v 10o` Isso. serial No. 443,946.

tion than rthe smallerv records in approaching the turn table sothat the larger records may be brought i-n 'Contact with actuating mechanism for properly positioning the tone arm for playing said records.

Another feature of the invention resides in the fact that thelsaid actuatin mechanism engages the upper surface othe records rather than the edge of the record. It

the record be located With absolute accuracy to insure engagement with said actuating mechanism. Accordingly, .records of different manufacturers which vary considerably in`outside diameter may be used.

Another feature of the invention resides in the fact that ineach movement of the record wherein accurate placing of the record is required at the termination of the movement, the mvement is accomplished by 70 engagement With the centering hole of the record .rather than the edge of `the record` Therefore,'the actual diameter of the record plays no part in the accurate placing thereof ,and records may be used which vary greatly. 75" -in their outer diameters.

Another feature of the invention resides in the provision ofa novel form of mechanism for imparting to the record at one portion of its travel a greater total movement than that imparted to a record in another portion of the travel by the same actual movementof the record-manipulating mechanism.

Another feature of the invention consists in the novel form of supports for the stack of records in the storage magazine, the said supports being rotatably mounted and being rotated from beneath the stack of records to allow a record to be returned to the bottom of said stack.

Another feature of the invention resides in the provision of a centering pin for enords in the storage magazine during the return of a record thereto whereby all of said records are accurately maintained in p o'si-,`

elevational view of the end of the machine.

containing the record-storage magazine with parts cut away to show other parts in detail. Fig. 7 is a fragmentary plan view of a portion of the record-moving apparatus. Fig. 8 .is a plan View of a portion of the apparatus used to locate the tone arm for the playing of the larger size of records. Figs. 9 and 10 are elevational views of the parts shown in Fi 8 in the relative positions assumed at di erent points in the cycle of operation.

Frame and tuff/n, table power mechanism The frame of the machine includes pairs of longitudinalmembers 10, 11 and 12, lateral members 13, 14 and 15 at one end and 16, 17 and 18 at the other end, vertical members 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26 and 27 at one side of the machine and 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35 and 36 at the other side together with other minor frame members hereinafter mentioned. An electric motor 37 is supported by a resiliently-mounted platform 38 carried by frame members 10 and 13. The said motor has a pulley 39 about which is trained a belt 40. The belt 4() is also trained about a pulley 41 carried by a horizontal shaft 42 carried in bearings 43 and 44 suitably mounted upon frame members 27 and 12 respectively. The shaft 42 also carries a worm 45 engaging a worm wheel 46 mounted upon a shaft 47. The said shaft is supported at one end upon a bracket 48 supported upon the frame member 1l and is supported at its opposite end upon a bearing 49 carried by the frame members 11 and 12. A .pinion 50 is iixedly carried by the said shaft and engages a gear 51 supported upon a vshaft 52. The shaft 52 is supported at one end upon a portion of a frame 53 in turn carried upon a plate 54 extending between and supported by the frame members 12. The frame 53 carries a vertical spindle 55 in turn supporting a turntable 56 adapted to receive a record 57 for playing. The spindle 55,is rotated by the shaft 52 by means of a train of gears indicated generally by Ithe numeral 58.

The said train of gears may be-replaced by a spring motor continuously wound by the shaft 52 or by the type of turntable driving mechanism dlsclosed in my copending application Serial No. 386,609, led August 17,

1929. It is to he noticed that the motor 37 and turntable are continuously operated.

P010611 Mechanism )co71 moving carriage (80) r1`he shaft 47 has fastened thereto a clutch member 59. A clutch member 60 is also -carried by the said shaft free to rotate thereon and a pinion 61 is formed integral with said clutch member. 60. A lever 62 is pivotally carried upon the bracket 48 by means of a vertical screw 63. The said lever carries an upwardly-eXtending fork 64 engaging the clutch member 6() for moving the same into and out of engagement with the clutch member 59. The outer end of the lever 62 is engaged by the upper end ol" a lever 65 pivotally mounted by means of a pin 66 upon the frame membell 23. The lower end of the lever 65 is pivotally connected to thearmature 67 of the electricI magnet 68, in turn carried upon the frame l member 23. By means of this construction, the energizing of the electromagnet serves to bring the clutch members 59 and 6() into engagement. A spring 69 interposed between the lever 65 and the frame member 23 operates to disengage the said clutch member when the electro-magnet 68 is de? energized. y

The sprocket 61 carries a chain 7() which is also trained about a sprocket 71 carried by a stub shaft 72 supported upon one of the frame members 12. A sprocket 73 is,

likewise carried on the said stub shaft and carries a chain 74 engaging a sprocket 75 up- 2 on a similar chain 7 (S. The chain 74 carries a roller 77 adapted to engage a pair of downwardly-extending arms 78 and 79 supported upon a movable carriage 80. The carriage 80 is in turn supported by flanged rollers 81 adapted to roll upon the frame members 12. By means of this construction,

the energizing of the electromagnet 68 engages the clutch members 59 and 6() actuating the chain 74 to move the carriage 8() upon the frame members 12. For convenience, the travel of the carriage 80 to the left, referring to Figs. 1 and 2, will be referred to hereinafter as the forward travel. The travel to the right will be called the reverse travel.

Pofwwa mechanism, for moving cam shaft (88) so chosen that the said shaft makes a complete revolution while the roller 77 makes two complete forward and reversetravels. Thus the carriage 80 makes two complete cycles of movement while the shaft 88 makes one. During the first cycle of carriage travel a record is moved from the storage magazine to the turn table and a record just played is lnoved from the turn table, reversed and placed in position to be retu-rned to the magazine whilev the cam shaft 88 makes a half revolution. This cam shaft movement is hereinafter referred to as the first half revolution. During the second cycle of carriage travel, a record is moved from the turn table, reversed, and returned thereto while the cam shaft 88 makes another half' revolution. This cam shaft movement will be. called the second half revolution. The cam shaft 88 carries a plurality of cams for actuating the various record-controlling mechanisms to behereinafter described. The shaping of these cams controls the actions of-said mechanisms in timed relation.

Moving record from storage magazine to tum table lar openings 1n a frame member 93 supported upon the frame members 10. A shoulder 94 is formed on the lower end of each of the stems 91 and normally abuts against the upper surface of the frame member 93 for su porting the weight of the stems 91 and tllfe pile of records. At the proper time for the removal of' a record from the storage magazine, a pair of cams 95 on. the shaft 88 engage a pair of arms 96, each freely mounted upona shaft 97 supported upon the frame members 20 and 35. The arms 96 areA fitted with upwardly-extending portions 98 engaging the underside of collars 99 carried upon the stems 91. Thus when the cams 95 engage the arms 96 to elevate the same, the stems 91 and the records 89 are elevated to the position illustrated in F ig. 6.

The traveling carriage 80 has pivotally attached thereto an arm 100. The said arm carries at its outer end a pivotally-mounted member 101 adapted to rest upon the upper surface ofthe uppermost record in the pile when said records are elevated to the posinon unarmed in Fig. 6. when the Said records are lowered to bring the shoulders 94 into engagement with the. frame member 93, the member 101 will be maintained at a level above the surface of the uppermost record. The member 101 carries on its undersurface a ratchet-shaped tootl1v102 adapted to engage the centering hole in the upper- Posz'zfoning #one amm, for twxovsf'ze of records The plate 54 adjacent the turn table is fitted with guideways 103 having recordsupporting surfaces 104 at one level and record-supporting members 105 at a higher level. 1f the record being moved -is'a teninch record, it rests upon the surfaces 104 and is guided by the members 105. If the said record is a twelve-inch record, it rests upon the members 105 and is guided by a pair of ribs 106. A sloping portion 107 of each of the members u103 serves to guide the larger size records to the upper surface of the members 105. Thus the larger size records approach the turn table at a higher level than the smaller size.

A lever 108 is pivotally supported lupon a pin 109 and carries a substantially hemispherical roller 110. At the opposite end of the said lever there is carried a member 111 supporting a pairof tubular members 112 and 113. The tubular member 1 12 contains a cylindrical rod 114 and a similar rod 115 is contained within the tubular member-113, rod 114 being longer than rod 115. A tone arm of common form 116 is universally mounted upon a bracket 117 carried 'by the frame member 112. The said tone arm carries a reproducer 118 of a common form and a needle 119Qfor engaging the record. The said reproducer may be electrically con. nected to any common type of amplifier and speaker for reproduction of the sound. A stem 120 is carried by the arms 78 and 79 of the carriage 80. When a twelve-inch record is moved tothe turn table, the upper surface of the record engages the roller 110 thereby moving the lever 108 and the member 111 carried ther by to bring the tubular member 113 into thee path of travel of the stem 120. In the movement of the carriage the said stem enters the tubular member 113 pushing the rod 115 therethrough. The

lou

'in Fig. 2.

said rod engages a collar 121 carried upon a verticalstem 122 attached by means of a ball and socket joint 123 to the tone arm 116. The lengths of the member 115 and I the stem 120 are so chosen that the engagement of the said member with the collar 121 moves the tone arm to the proper position for the start of playing of a twelve-inch record.

If a ten-inch record is being moved to the turn table, the said record travels at the lower 'level and docs not engage the roller 110. The said roller is, therefore, maintained in its lowered position by means of a spring 124V interposed between the lever 108 and the plate 54. In this position the tubular member 112 is in the path of travel of the stem 120. The said stem, therefore, enters the tubular member 112, engages the shorter rod 114, whereby the tone arm is moved a shorter distance to the proper position for the start of playing of a ten-inch record. Thus the engagement of the roller 110 with the upper surface of a twelve-inch record determines the position at which the tone arm will be moved for the start of playing of that sized record.

- Lowering record ont() um table Adjacent the turn table 56 there are located a pair of vertically-movable members 125 having their upper surfaces formed as a continuation of the record-carrying surfacesI 104 and, 105 and the guide rib 106. Each of the members 125 is carried by a stem 126 and each ofsaid stems is guided in a bearing member 127 supported on one of the frame members 11. The lower end of each of the stems 126 is pivotally connect-ed to the end of a lever 128 in turn pivotally mounted upon the frame member 11 by a pin 129. The levers 128 have downwardlyextending portions 130 each Icarrying a roller 131 engaging a cam 132 carriedrby the shaft 88. During the movement of a record to theturn table, the members 125 are normally maintainedat the elevation at which their upper surfaces form acontinuation of the before-mentioned record-supporting sur faces. At this elevation, the record is pro pelled by the lug 102 untilit comes to rest upon the members 125 with its center above4 the centering pin 133 of the turn table. At this position, the cams 132 operate to allow the lowering of the members 125 by gravity to the position illustrated in Fig. 5 at which position the record 57 rests upon the turn table 56 and the members 125 are free of the edge of the record. Thereafter, the continued travel of chain 74 returns the carriage 80 to the initial position illustrated Lowering1 tone arm l During the latter part of the carriage travel, a cam 134 carried-upon the shaft 88 pivotally carried `upon the' shaft 97. The

said lever carries at its outer end the lower end of the rod 122, thus the lowering thereof allows the lowering of the tone arm to bring the needle 119 into engagement with the record for playing the same. Both the lower and upper ends of the stem 122 are fitted with ball and socket joints 123 and 136 so that the needle is free to follow the sound groove of the record. The cam 134 acts to maintain the tone arm -in elevated position throughout all of the travel of the carriage 80 so that no interference is possible between tone arm and carriage.

Em] of fr# i/cle mul ,start of reco/rdf Upon the completion of travel of the carriage and the first half revolution of shaft 88, the electromagnet 68 is'deenergized by the opening of a suitable switch actuated by the shaft 88not shown in the drawings. The clutch members 59 and 60 are thereby disengaged and motion of the carriage and the shaft 88 ceases. Upon the completion of playing of record, a mercury switch 137 is tripped by suitablel mechanism such as that described in detail in my copending application Serial No. 363,776, iled May 17, 1929. The said switch is connected to the electromagnet 68 and energizes the same for a repetition of the movement of the chain 74 and for the second half revolution of Shaft 88. At the start of the second half revolution, the cams 95 are in such position that the stems 91 are not elevated tothe position illustrated in Fig. 6. Therefore, the member 101 does not engage the upper record in the storage magazine and no record is removed from the said magazine to the turn table.

Ren'zovl of record' from :5w/n table The carriage 80 carries a bearing member 138 in which is freely mounted a horizontal stem 139. The said stem carries a finger 140 having a downwardly-extending portlon 141 adapted to rest upon the centering vpin 133 from the turn table by the movement of the carriage 80.

Reversing the record At the edge of the plate 54 is an apron 142 pivotally carried upon a horizontal shaft 143, see Figs. 2 and 3. The shaft 143 has attached thereto an arm 144 to which is pivotally attached a link 145. The lower end of link 145 is` pivotally attached to a lever A146 in turn carried upon a pin 147 upon the frame member 22. The lever 146 has a downwardly-extending portion 148 engaging a cam,149 upon the shaft 88. The upper surface of the apron 142 is formed with guideways 150 and 151 forming a continuation of the record-guiding surfaces 103 and 106. As shown in Fig. 1, the said guide.- ways are converging in form. As the record is moved from the turn table onto the apron 142, the cam 149 operates to cause the said apron to tilt-into the position illustrated in Fig. 3. During the tilting'` the converging guideways prevent the record from slipping from the apron.

The stem 139 carries a downwardlyextending arm 152 in turn carrying a roller 153. In the travel of the carriage 80, just 'prior to the tiling of the apron 142, the

roller 153 strikes a downwardly-hanging link 154 pivotally carried by means of a pin 155 upon thev side of the frame member 12, said pin being provided with a shoulder to prevent it from swinging rearwardly while permitting it to swing forwardly. This engagement causes rotation of the stem 139 and elevation of the finger 140 out of engagement with the centering hole of the record. During the remainder of the travel of the carriage 80, the roller 153 runs upon a trackway 156 likewise carried upon the frame member 12. The linger 140 is thereby maintained in. its upraised position until a point is reached close to the end of said travel whereupon the roller 153 reaches the I end of the trackway 156 and dropping therefrom permits the member 140 to resume its horizontal position, in which position it iS maintained by a. pin 157 engaging a shoulder 158 upon the bearing member 138.

A pair of irregularlyfshaped arms 159 are carried upon a shaft 160 in turn supported by frame members 24 and 31'. The shaft 160 also carries an arm 161 to which is pivotally connected a link 162 in turn pivotally connected to a lever 163. The lever 163 is freely supportedupon a shaft 164 extending between the frame members 10 and carries a pin 165 engaging a cam 166 carried upon the shaft- 88. A tension spring 167 extends between the levers 146 and 163 and serves to maintain the same in engagement with their respective cams. By this mechanism, the action of the cam 166 serves to rook the shaft 160 and elevatethe arms 159. The tilting of the apron 142 brings the edges of the record into engagement with a pair of wires 168 strung between the members 14 and 17. lVhen the record has reached this position, the cam 166 operates to elevate the arms 159. The arms then engage the record 169 moving it to the position illustrated in liig. 3. At this position, it is supported by the wires 168 and its lower edge is in CGD- tact with a pair of upwardly-extending stationary members 170. The said members prevent the lower edge of the record from sliding upon the wires 168. The cam 166 then operates to lower the arms 159 allowing the record to follow the same. The

record then comes to rest upon a pair of f Rem/ning record to' um table for play/ng second side Each of the record supports 171 is carried upon a vertical stem 172 mounted in suitable bearings on the frame members 10 and 11. A horizontal member 173 connects the said stems and has attached thereto a short length of chain 174. The chain 174 is attached at its upper end to one arm of a b'ell crank member 175 supported upon a shaft 176 carried by'frame members 25 and 30. The opposite arm of the bell crank v175 is connected to a link 177 in turn connected to the upper end of a lever 178 freely carried upon the shaft 164. The lever 178 carries a roller 179 engaging a cam 180 carried upon the shaft 88. When the .record has been placed in position upon the supports 171, the cam 180 operates through the linkage just described to elevate the said supports to the level of the plate 54. During such elevation the apron l142 is held in lower and rearward position by cam 149 free of the movement of supports 171 which terminate short thereof. The entire operation of reversing a record and re-elevating the same takes place during the latter part of the forward travel of the carriage and during the time the roller 77 travels from its engagelnent with arm 79 to engage arm 78. Upon the commencement of return travel of the said carriage, the linger 140 engages the centering hole of the record and further movement returns the same to the support members 125 above the turntable. It is to be noticed that the upper surface of the members 171 is forlned to supply a continuation of the record-supporting surfaces 104 and 105 and the guiding surfaces 106. It is also to benoticed. that during the elevation of the record, the apron 142 remains in its downwardly-tilted .position and thereby prevents interfefence with the movement of the record support and record. During the return of the carriage, the .roller 153 passes beneath the trackway 156 and the pivoted member 154 is moved thereby from the path of the roller. The finger 140, therefore, maintains its horizontal position during the entire return travel. When the record is again in place upon the support members Placing mw a/rm for jplay/ng second side of record During the .removal of a record from the turn table, the reversing of the same and the return thereof to the turn table for playing the second side, no record engages the roller 110 even though the recordbeing handled may be a twelve-inch record. Therefore, the stem 120 enters the4 tubular member 112 and the tone arm is returned to the initial position for playing -a ten inch record. If a twelve-inch record is being returned to the turn table, itis supported upon the upper record-supporting members 105. At that position, it engages a hemispherical roller 181 carried upon the end of a leverp182 pivotally mounted at 183 upon the plate 54. The said roller engages the upper surface of the record in the same manner as the roller 110 and the lever 182 is moved thereby, in opposition to the force of a spring 184 interposed between said level* and the plate 54. The outer end of the lever 182 carries a tubular member 185 within which is carried a slidable stem 186 fitted with cotter pins 187 and 188. A washer 189 surrounds the stem 186 and abuts against the end\of the tubular member 185. A similar washer 190 abuts against the pin 188. A helical spring 191 surrounds the stem -186 and is interposed between said washers. The

, carriage 80 carries a bracket 192 upon which is pivotally mounted an irregularly-shaped member 193. The said member 193 isyieldingly maintained in contact with the bracket 192 by means of a conical spring 194. The bracket 192 has a depression formed therein in which is placed a ball 196. The member 193 has corresponding depressions 197 and 198 adapted to engage a portion of said ball A extending beyond the depression in bracket 192; The member 193 also carries stop pins 199 and 200 adapted to engage the bracket 192 for limiting the movement of the member 193 about its pivotal support. In Fig. 9, the member 193 is shown positioned with the stop pin 200 engaging the bracket 192 and the ball 196 engaging the depression 197. The said ball yieldingly maintains the member 193 in the said position. Upon the application of a predetermined force to rotate the member 193, the spring 194 yields allowing the ball to escape from the depression 197 and allowing the member 193 to move into the position illustrated in Fig. 2 wherein theball 196 engages the depression 198 and the stop pin 199 engages the bracket 192.

In the return travel of the carriage 80 during the movement of a record from the sup- Y porting members 171 to the turn table, the

member 193 is normally in the position illustrated in Fig. 9.` If the record being transferred is a twelve-inch record, the upper surface thereof engages the roller 181, moving the lever 182 to bring the stem 186 in line with the travel of thev member 193, as illustrated in Fig. 9. The member 193 thereupon engages the end. of the stem 186 moving the same to engage the end of a lever 201 pivotally carried upon the bracket 117. The opposite end of the said lever engages the vertical rod 122 and moves the tone arm to the proper position for starting the play'- ing of a twelve-inch record. In this position, the tone arm engages a rigid stop, not shown in the drawings, and the continued travel of the carriage 80 exerts suilicient pressure on the member 193 lto cause its movement to the position illustrated in Fig. 2. The tone arm is then Vlowered by the mechanisml previously described. and the playing of the record begins.

If the record being moved is a ten-inch record, there is no' engagement with the -roller 181 and the stem 186, therefore, re-

mains in the position illustrated in Figs. 1, 2 and 10. In this position, the member 193 engages the washer 190 as shown in Fig. 10. The stem 186 is moved thereby, but, since it is at the higher elevation, it does not engage the lever 201 and no added movement of the tone arm takes place. Upon the spring 191 becoming coil-bound, sufficient pressure is exerted to move the member 193 to the position shown in Fig.'2.

In the position shown in Fig. 2, a cut away portion 202 of thel member 193 is uppermost. Therefore, when the carriage 80 again moves forward,the said member-l will" not interfere with the stem 186 and Washers 189 and 190, even though the latter are moved by the removal of a twelve-meh record from the turn table. At the completion of the forward travel of the' carriage 80, a flexible spring member 203 carried upon the bearing 43 engagesa shoulder 204 on the member 193 and, upon the commencement of the return travel of the carriage 80, the member 193 is returned thereby the normal position illustrated in Fig. 9.

*Emi of second cgt/cle lVhen the record has again been placed in 115 position on the turn table, the tone arm 1s lowered for playing the record as before. The electromagnet 68 is deenergized at the end of the second half revolution of cam shaft 88 to stop the carriage and cam shaft.

Second removal of reco/rd from zwr'fn, table Upon the completion of playing of the secondI side `of the record, the mercury switch 137 is actuated to energize the electro-magnet 68 to initiate the travel of the carriage 80 and to repeat the first half revolution of the' shaft'88. A recordtis moved thereby from the storage magaine to the turn table in the Same manner as previously described and at 1S) the same time the finger 140 removes the apron 142. When the last-mentioned record has-reached the apron 142, the finger 140 is elevated by the engagement of the roller 153 with the pivoted -link 154. The said roller thereupon rides upon the trackway 156 and, during the travel of the roller upon said traekway, a cam 205 upon the shaft 88 engages a lever 206 which is pivot-- ally carried upon the frame member 35. The opposite end of said lever engages a vertically-slidable member 207 upon Athe u pper end of which is carried a pair of track portions 208 and 209. The operation of the said cam thereupon elevates the said trackways 208 and 209 into position to form a continuation of the trackway 156. The said trackways remain in place during the remainder of the'forward travel of the carriage and during the entire return travel thereof. lhe member 140 is, therefore maintained in its upraised posi-tion during this entire period. The trackway 209 is formed with a downwardly-eiirved portion 210. At the end of the return travel of the Vcarriage .80, the roller 153 reaches this downwardly-curved portion 21() and the' finger 140 is thereby gently lowered to bring the downwardly-extending portion 141 thereof to engagement with the centering pin 133 of the turn table. Thereupon the cam 205 operates to return the trackways 208 and 209 to their initial position.

Second reversal of record and 'mtu-)vi to magazine When the record just played has been placed upon the apron142, the said apron and the arms 159 are operated as before to reverse the record and place thesame upon the record-supporting members 171 with the side first played uppermost. At this point in the cyeleof operation, when the cam shaft is in its first half revolution, the said supporting members are not elevated but remain in their lowermost position. In this position, the said members are aligned with a trackway 211 having a lower portion 212 proximately to the level of the record-supporting trackway 212. The member 217 also carries .upwardly-'extending lugs 219 pivot-all supporting a pin 220 to which is attachee? a downwardly-extending member 221 and a pair of upwardly-.curved fingers 222. The downwardly-extending member 221 carries a weight 223. The upward-lyextending fingers 222 extend on opposite sides of the piece 218 as illustrated in Figs. 4 and 7.

At the time the record is placed upon the supporting members 171, the carriage 80 has completed its forward travel and the downwardly-extending member 221 has been moved thereby to a position illustrated by bl'oken lines in Fig. 4. In the said position, the member 221 engages a horizontal member 224 attached to the frame member 14. At this position, the fingers 222 are thrown backwardly, as illustrated, to a position at which they will engage the-edge of a twelveinch recordv placed upon the supporting members171. During lthe return travel of the carriage 80, the fingers 222 engage the edge of the recordand propel the same from the supporting members 171 to the trackway 211. In this movement, the downwardlyextending member 221 is freed from the horizontal member 224 and the weight 223 causes the same to assume a nearly vertical position. As the carriage 80 al'iproaches its initial position, the downwardly-extending member 221 engages a laterally-extending frame member 225 supported upon vertical frame member 226. This engagement causes the fingers 222 to be. tilted forwardly to the. position shown in solid lines\in Fig.4. It is evident, therefore, that this action of the` fingers 222 causes the record to be propelled through a greater distance than the actual travel of the carriage 80. This is necessary for a purpose to be hereinafter mentioned. Uponthe next forward travel of the carriage 80, the record is left in position upon the traekway 211.

The member 217 has an upwardly-extending portion 227 upon which is pivotally mounted a finger 228 having a ratchetshaped tooth 229. In the said forward travel of the carriage 80, the tooth 229 passes the centering hole in the record due to the fact that the record has been moved a great-er distance than the actual travel of the earriage 80, as previously described. In the succeeding return travel of the carriage, the tooth 229 engages the centering hole of the `record and propels the same along the trackway 211 to a position exactly beneath the pile of records 89 in the storage magazine.

Beneath the storage magazine a verticallyextending stem 230 is slidably mounted in frame members 92 and 93. '.[he said stem carries at its upper end a plate 231 and a centering .pin 232` A chain 233 is attached to the stem 230 and passes over a sprocket 234. The opposite end of the chain is attaehed to a lever 235 pivotally mounted upon 237 engages the roller 236 to move the lever 235 and elevate the stem'230, the plate 231 and the centering pin 232. The pin 232 engages the centering hole in the record and passes upwardly engaging the centering holes of all of the records in the storage magazine. The plate 231 carries with it the record just positioned beneath themagazine and brings the same into engagement with the undersurface of the supporting members 90 slightly elevating the same with their supporting stems 91.

'Each of the collars 99 carried by the said supporting stems carries an arm 238 to which is attached a link 239 in turn attached to the upper end of a lever 240. Each of the levers 240 carries a roller 241 engaging a cam 242 upon the shaft 88. Upon the engagement of the last-mentioned record with the under-surface ofthe supporting members 90, the said cams' operate to rotate the stems 91 removing the members 90 from beneath the stack of records. During lthe said movement, the stack of records is supported upon the plate 231 and held in position by the centering pin 232. When themembers 90 have been moved free of the stack of records, the stems 91 are free to drop, bringing the members 90 to a level beneath the lowermost record in the stack. When this takes place, the cam 242 operates to permit the return of the members 90 to their position beneath the stack under the`influence of a pair of tension springs 243 each connected to one of the levers 240 and one of the vertical frame members.

By means of the apparatus described, each record, whether of the ten-inch or twelveinch size, is moved from the storage magazine to the turn table, played on one side, reversed, played on the opposite side and returned to the underside of the pile of recordsk in the magazine. All of the movements of the records, with the exception o'f the movement from the supporting members 171, is accomplished by engagement with the centering holeof the record. The records, therefore, are accurately positioned at the end of each of said movements without regard to their size. In the movement from the supporting members 171, there is no need of accurate positioning at the termination of the movement. It is only necessary thatcthe record be moved far enough to be engaged by the tooth 229. This is accomplished by means of the fingers 222 which give the reci ords a greater travel than the actual travel of the carriagevSO thus insuring that the recordA will be engaged by the tooth 229 irrespective of its size.

The invention claimed is:

1. In an automatic phonograph the combination of a rotatable playing turn table, a record-supporting member normally maintained at a lower elevation than said turn table, mechanism for removing said record from said turn table upon the completion of playing one side, reversing the same and placing it with the opposite side uppermost upon said record support, mechanism operable thereafter to'elevate said support substantially to the level of the turn table, and other mechanism adapted to move said record from said support to said turn table for playing theopposite side.

.2. In an automatic phonographthe combination of a record storage magazine, a turn table adapted to receive a record for playing, a record-supporting member normally positioned at a lower level than that of said turn table, mechanism automatically oper` able upon the completion of playing of 011e side of a record 'to remove the same from said turn table, reverse the same and place it upon said supporting'member with the opposite side uppermost, mechanism automatically operable thereafter to'elevate said support member substantially to the level of said turn table,` mechanism operable there after to remove said record from said supporting member to said turn table for playing the opposite side thereof, and other mechanism automatically operable upon the completion of playing said second side to return said record to said magazine.

3. In an automatic phonograph the combination of a record storage magazine, a turntable adapted to receive a record for playing, a record-supporting member mov'- able between an upperand a lower positlon, mechanism automatically operable upon the completion of playing of one side of a record to remove the same from the turn table, reverse the same and place it upon said supporting member with the opposite side uppermost, means -for moving sald support member between its upper and lower positions, mechanism operable when said support member is in its upper position to move the record therefrom to said turn table for playing the opposite side, and other mechanism operable when said member 1s 1n 1ts lower position to move the record therefrom for return to said storage magazine.

4. In an automatic phonograph the com- CTL bination of a record storage magazine, a

member between its upper and lower posireturn to said storage magazine, and mecha' nism operable simultaneously with said lastmentioned mechanism to move another record from said magazine to said turn table.

5. In an yautomatic phonograph the combination of movable supporting means for a stack of records, a playing turn table, a movable carriage, motor driven means for moving said carriage, a record-engaging member carried by said carriage and adapted to engage a record in a stack carried by said supporting means when said supporting means is in a predetermined position, said member being adapted to move said record from said stack to said turntable in the movement of said carriage, and mechanism adapted to move said supporting means from said predetermined position upon alternate movements of said carriage, whereby no record is engaged by said record-engaging member for removal from said stack upon said alternate movements of said carriage.

6. In an automatic phonograph the combination of vertically-movable supporting means for a stack of records, a playing turn table, a movable carriage, motor driven means for moving said carriage, a recordengaging member carried by said carriage and adapted to engage the uppermost record in a stack carried by said supporting means when said supporting means is in its uppermost position, said member being adapted to move said record from said stack in the movement of said carriage, and mechanism adapted to move said supporting means from its uppermost position upon alternate movements of said carriage, whereby no record is engaged by said record-engaging member upon said alternate carriage movements.- u 7. In an automatic phonograph the combination of arotatable turntable, mecha-k nism for moving records to said turn table for playing, said mechanism being adapted to move records of different sizes, a tone arm, mechanism associated with said recordmoving mechanism normally operable to place saidltone arm Ain position for the start of playing a record of one size, and means engageable with the upper surface of a record of different size adapted to actuate said tone arm placing mechanism for placing said tone arm in position for the start of playing thereof.

- 8. In an automatic phonograph the combination of a playing turn'table, mechanism for moving records to said'turn table for playing, said mechanism being adapted to move records of different sizes, a tone arm,

mechanism normally. operable during the movement of a record to saidturn table for placing said tone arm in position for the start of playing a record of one size, a member adapted to engage the upper surface of a record of a different size during its movement to said turn table, and mechanism associated with said memberfor imparting an additional movement to said tone arm to place the same in position for the start of playing thereof.

9. In an automatic phonograph the combination of a turn table, record-moving mechanism for moving records to saidY turn table for playing, said mechanism being adapted to move records of different sizes, a playing stylus, a stylus-moving member, an actuating member carried by said recordmoving mechanism and movable therewith, a pair of intermediate members selectively interposablev between said stylus-moving member and said actuating member, said intermediate members being proportioned so that when one is so interposed said actuating member acts therethrough in the moveactuate said stylus-moving member to place said stylus in position for the start of playing of one size of record and when the other is so interposed Vsaid actuating member acts therethrough to place said stylus in position for the start of playing a second size of record, and means automatically actuatable dependent upon the size of record being moved to said turn table for selectively interposing the proper intermediate member for that size of record. y

- 10. In an automatic phonograph the combination of a turn table, record-moving mechanism for moving records to said turn table for playing, said mechanism being adapted to move records of different sizes, a playing stylus, a stylus-moving member, an actuating member carried by said recordmoving mechanism and movable therewith, an intermediate member normally interposed between said stylus-moving member and said actuating member whereby said actuating member acts therethrough in the movement of said record-moving mechavnism to actuate said stylus-moving member to place said stylus in position for playing a smaller size of record, a second intermeof said record-moving mechanism to place said stylus in position :for playing the larger' size of record.

11. In an automatic phonograph the combination of a storage magazine adapted to contain records of different sizes, a playing turn table, record-supporting members eX- tending at different horizontal levels between said magazine and said turn table, to

support a smaller record at one level and a larger record at another level, automatic means for propelling records along said record-supporting members, a tone arm, mechanism normally operable in the movement of said records for placing said tone arm in position for the start of playing of one size of record, and other mechanism engageable with a record carried at the higher level for actuating said tone arm placing mechanism for placing the said tone arm in position for the start of playing of the other size of record.

12. In an automatic phonograph'the combination of a movable carriage adapted to move a record through a predetermined travel, a pivotally-mounted finger carried by said carriage and adapted to engage another record for propelling 'the same in the motion of the said carriage, and means for moving said finger upon its pivotal mounting whereby said second record is propelled through a greater distance than the predetermined travel of. said first record.y

13. In an automatic phonograph the combination of pivotally mounted members adapted to support a stack of records, means y for placing a record beneath said stack, a

vertically-movable member adapted to elevate said last-mentioned record toward thei underside of the stack, mechanism operable thereafter for rotating said supporting members about their pivotal mountings Jfor removing the same from said stack and for returning the same to position beneath said last-mentioned record.

14. In an automatic phonograph the com-,

bination of members adapted to support a stack of records, means for placing a record beneath said stack, a vertically-movable member adapted to elevate said last-mentioned record toward the underside of the stack, a centering pin carried by said lastmentioned member adaptedv to engage the centering holes of all of the records in said stack, and mechanism operable to move said supporting members from said stack and to place the same beneath said last-mentioned record. I

15. In van automatic phonograph the combination of a turn table adapted to receive a record for playing, a centering pin on said turn' table, a finger adapted to be positioned above said centering pin, means for elevating said record upon the completion of playing thereof to bring the centering hole of said record into engagement With said finger, and mechanism for moving said finger to remove said record from said turn table.

16. In an automatic phonograph the combination of a turn table adapted to receive a record for playing, a centering pin on said turn table, a finger adapted to be positioned above said centering pin, means for elevating said record upon the completion of playing thereof to bring the centering hole of said record into engagement with said finger, mechanism for moving said finger to remove said record from said turn table, and mechanism operable thereafter t0 reverse said record and place the same in position for re-engagement of said finger with said -centering hole for return` of said' record to said turn table by movement of said finger.

17. In an automatic phonograph the combination of a playing turn table, a movable finger adapted to engage the centering hole of a record for moving the same from said turn table, and mechanism operable thereafter to reverse said record and place the same in position for re-engagement of said finger With said centering hole for return of said record to said turn table by movement of said finger.

18. In an automatic phonograph the combination of a playing turn table, record-reversing mechanism, a movable finger adapted to engage the centering hole of a record, means for moving said Enger When so engaged to move said record from said turn table to said record-reversing mechanism, mechanism operable thereafter to actuate said reversing mechanism t0 reverse said record, and means operable during said r e versal to move said finger clear of said record and operable thereafter to bring said finger again into engagement With said centering hole for returning said record to said turn table.

19. In an automatic phonograph, the combination with a longitudinally fixed and horizontally rotatable turntable, of a reservoir for containing` a"'stac l{ o f records in horizontal, contacting relation supported one upon the other, means for sliding a record horizontally from one side of the stack onto the turntable for the reproduction thereof, means for reversing the record and placing it on the turntable for playlng the reverse side thereof lwithout returning it to the stack, and means for thereafter returning the record to the other side of the stack with its original side up.

20. In an automatic phonograph, the combination with a horizontally disposed turntable fixed longitudinally of its center of rotation, of a reservoir, means for supporti ing a plurality of records therein one upon the other in horizontal relation, means for 'lao sliding a record from the stack onto the turntable, means for removingthe record from the turntable, overturning it and replacing it thereon Without returning it to v bination with a horizontally disposed turntable fixed longitudinally of its center of.

rotation, of a reservoir, means for supporting a plurality of records therein one upon the other in horizontal relation, means for sliding a record from the stack onto the turntable, and means for removing the record from the turntable to one side thereof, overturning the same and returning it to the turntable in reversed position Without returning it to the reservoir.

22. In an automatic phonograph, the combination with a horizontally disposed turntable fixed longitudinally of its center of rotation, of a reservoir, means for supporting a plurality of records therein one upon the other in horizontal relation, means for sliding a record from the stack onto the turntable, and mechanism for sliding the record to one side of said turntable, overturning it, returning it to the turntable in reversed position, thereafter sliding it from the turntable and returning it to the reservoir With its original side up.

23. In an automatic phonograph, the combination with a horizontally disposed turntable fixed longitudinally of its center of rotation, ot' a reservoir, means for supporting a vplurality of records of varying sizes therein one upon the other inA horizontal relation, means for sliding a record from the stack onto the turntable, means for removing the record from the turntable to one side thereof, overturning the same and returning it to the turntable in reversed position Without returning it to the reservoir irrespective ofthe size thereof, a reproducer, and means controlled by the sizeof the record for positioning the reproducer at' the starting position thereon.

In witness whereof, I have hereunto alixed my signature.

THOMAS W. SMALL. 

